License

Summary

A document certifying an individual’s office in the church and authorizing him “to perform the duty of his calling.”1 The “Articles and Covenants” of the church implied that only elders could issue licenses; individuals ordained by a priest to an office in the lesser priesthood had to take a certificate to an elder before receiving a license.2 Licenses were routinely issued to those holding church offices to certify their standing and authority in the church and could be revoked as a measure of church discipline.3 Licenses were also provided to those sent out to proselytize or build up the church in order to signify that they had been appointed and ordained according to church procedures.4 Church licensing practices were standardized in March 1836.5 A resolution passed at a general conference of the church on 8 April 1838 appointed the First Presidency to sign all licenses, though this proved impractical.6